Article Washing Device

ABSTRACT

An article washing device for countertop cleaning of nursing bottles includes a plurality of walls, which are engaged to and positioned in a housing to define a refill reservoir for holding water, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment. A tray is selectively insertable through a slot in the housing so that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber. The tray holds detergent selectively delivers an effective amount of the detergent to the chamber to generate a cleaning solution. A plurality of spray arms is positioned in the wash compartment. An article is positionable over a respective spray arm. A heater selectively heats the cleaning solution and a pump selectively pumps the cleaning solution and water through the respective spray arm to clean and to rinse the article, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to washing devices and more particularly pertains to a new washing device for countertop cleaning of nursing bottles. The present invention discloses is a washing device comprising a countertop positionable housing in which a plurality of walls is positioned to define a refill reservoir, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to washing devices, which includes a variant of washing devices for cleaning nursing bottles. What is lacking in the prior art is a countertop positionable housing in which a plurality of walls is positioned to define a refill reservoir, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a plurality of walls, which are engaged to a housing and positioned in an interior space defined by the housing. The walls define a refill reservoir, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment. The refill reservoir is configured to hold water. A tray is selectively insertable through a slot in the housing so that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber. The tray is configured for positioning of detergent and to selectively deliver an effective amount of the detergent to the chamber to generate a cleaning solution. A plurality of spray arms is positioned in the wash compartment. Each spray arm is configured to be inserted into a respective article. A heater is positioned in the heated compartment and is configured to selectively heat the cleaning solution. A pump is positioned in the chamber and is in fluidic communication with the spray arms. The pump is configured to selectively pump the cleaning solution and water through the spray arm to clean and to rinse the respective article, respectively.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an article washing device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new washing device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the article washing device 10 generally comprises a plurality of walls 12, which are engaged to a housing 14 and positioned in an interior space 16 defined by the housing 14. A plurality of feet 18 is engaged to a lower surface 20 of the housing 14. The feet 18 are configured to stabilize the housing 14 on a surface, such as a countertop.

The walls 12 define a refill reservoir 22, a wash compartment 24, a drain basin 26 positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment 24, a heated compartment 28, and a chamber 30 within the heated compartment 28. A refill opening 32 is positioned in a top 34 of the refill reservoir 22, which is configured to hold water 36. A passthrough opening 38 is positioned in a bottom 40 of the refill reservoir 22. A control valve 42 is engaged to the refill reservoir 22 and is positioned in the passthrough opening 38. A motor 44 is engaged to the control valve 42 and is enabled to selectively actuate the control valve 42 to open and to close the passthrough opening 38.

A plurality of slits 46 is positioned in a lower end 48 of the wash compartment 24 so that fluid flows from the wash compartment 24 to the drain basin 26. A hose 50 is engaged to and extends from the housing 14. The hose 50 is in fluidic communication with the drain basin 26. The hose 50 is configured to drain the fluid from the drain basin 26, such as to a sink positioned in a countertop upon which the housing 14 is positioned.

An access opening 52 is positioned in an upper end 54 of the wash compartment 24. The access opening 52 is configured to allow access to the wash compartment 24. A lid 56 is hingedly engaged to the wash compartment 24 so that the lid 56 is positioned to selectively close the access opening 52. A handle 58 is engaged to the lid 56 and is configured to be grasped in digits of a hand of a user for opening and closing the lid 56.

A tray 60 is selectively insertable through a slot 62 in the housing 14 so that the tray 60 is in fluidic communication with the chamber 30. The tray 60 is configured for positioning of detergent 64 and to selectively deliver an effective amount of the detergent 64 to the chamber 30 to generate a cleaning solution 66. A pipe 68 is engaged to the tray 60 and extends into the chamber 30 so that the tray 60 is in fluidic communication with the chamber 30. A grasp 70 is engaged to the tray 60 and is configured to be grasped in the digits of the hand of a user to slide the tray 60 within the slot 62.

A plurality of spray arms 72 is positioned in the wash compartment 24. Each spray arm 72 is configured to be inserted into a respective article 74. Each spray arm 72 comprises a first tube 76 and a plurality of second tubes 78. The first tube 76 is engaged to and extends from the lower end 48 of the wash compartment 24. Each second tube 78 is engaged to and extends transversely from the first tube 76. One spray hole 80 of a plurality of spray holes 80 is positioned in the first tube 76 at a terminus 82 of the first tube 76 distal from the lower end 48 of the wash compartment 24. Each second tube 78 has a spray hole 80 positioned in an endpoint 84 of the second tube 78 distal from the first tube 76. As shown in FIG. 6 , the first tubes 76 may be of different lengths and may be fitted with different numbers of second tubes 78.

A heater 86, which may comprise a heating element 88, is positioned in the heated compartment 28 and is configured to selectively heat the cleaning solution 66. A pump 90 is positioned in the chamber 30 and is in fluidic communication with the spray arms 72. The pump 90 is configured to selectively pump the cleaning solution 66 and water 36 through the spray arm 72 to clean and to rinse the respective article 74, respectively. The present invention is anticipated to be of particular use in cleaning nursing bottles 92, but also can be used to clean other articles 74.

A float valve 94 is positioned in the chamber 30 and is operationally engaged to the motor 44 so that the float valve 94 is positioned to actuate the motor 44 prior to a level of fluid in the chamber 30 falling below an inlet 96 of the pump 90.

A power cord 98 is engaged to and extends from the housing 14. The power cord 98 is operationally engaged to the heater 86, the pump 90, and the motor 44. A controller 100 is engaged to the housing 14 and is operationally engaged to the heater 86, the pump 90, the motor 44, and the power cord 98. The controller 100 is configured to allow input of commands to selectively control the heater 86, the pump 90, and the motor 44. The controller 100 may comprise a touch screen 102, or other controlling means, such as, but not limited to, dials, switches, and the like.

In use, water 36 is added to the refill reservoir 22, detergent 64 is positioned in the tray 60, and an article 74, such as a nursing bottle 92, is positioned in the wash compartment 24. The controller 100 is used to actuate the heating element, the motor 44, and the pump 90 to initiate a cleaning cycle. The cleaning solution 66 is warmed by the heating element 88 and then discharged by the pump 90 through the spray arms 72 to clean and sanitize articles 74 positioned on or around the spray arms 72.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. An article washing device comprising: a housing defining an interior space, a plurality of walls engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space defining a refill reservoir, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment, wherein the refill reservoir is configured for holding water; a tray selectively insertable through a slot in the housing, such that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber, wherein the tray is configured for positioning of detergent, the tray being configured for selectively delivering an effective amount of the detergent to the chamber for generating a cleaning solution; a plurality of spray arms positioned in the wash compartment, wherein each spray arm is configured for inserting into a respective article; a heater positioned in the heated compartment, wherein the heater is configured for selectively heating the cleaning solution; and a pump positioned in the chamber and being in fluidic communication with the spray arms, wherein the pump is configured for selectively pumping the cleaning solution and water through the spray arm for cleaning and rinsing the respective article, respectively; and a float valve positioned in the chamber and being operationally engaged to the motor, such that the float valve is positioned for actuating the motor prior to a level of fluid in the chamber falling below an inlet of the pump.
 2. The article washing device of claim 1, further including: a refill opening positioned in a top of the refill reservoir; a passthrough opening positioned in a bottom of the refill reservoir; a control valve engaged to the refill reservoir and positioned in the passthrough opening; and a motor engaged to the control valve, such that the motor is enabled for selectively actuating the control valve for opening and closing the passthrough opening.
 3. The article washing device of claim 1, further including: a plurality of slits positioned in a lower end of the wash compartment, such that fluid flows from the wash compartment to the drain basin; and a hose engaged to and extending from the housing, the hose being in fluidic communication with the drain basin, wherein the hose is configured for draining the fluid from the drain basin.
 4. The article washing device of claim 1, further including: an access opening positioned in an upper end of the wash compartment, wherein the access opening is configured for accessing the wash compartment; a lid hingedly engaged to the wash compartment, such that the lid is positioned for selectively closing the access opening; and a handle engaged to the lid, wherein the handle is configured for grasping in digits of a hand of a user for opening and closing the lid.
 5. The article washing device of claim 1, further including a pipe engaged to the tray and extending into the chamber, such that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber.
 6. The article washing device of claim 1, further including a grasp engaged to the tray, wherein grasp is configured for grasping in the digits of a hand of a user for sliding the tray within the slot.
 7. The article washing device of claim 1, further wherein each spray arm comprises: a first tube engaged to and extending from a lower end of the wash compartment; a plurality of second tubes, each second tube being engaged to and extending transversely from the first tube; and a plurality of spray holes, one spray hole being positioned in the first tube at a terminus of the first tube distal from the lower end of the wash compartment, each second tube having a spray hole positioned in an endpoint of the second tube distal from the first tube.
 8. The article washing device of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a heating element.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The article washing device of claim 1, further including: a power cord engaged to and extending from the housing, the power cord being operationally engaged to the heater, the pump, and the motor; and a controller engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the heater, the pump, the motor, and the power cord, wherein the controller is configured for inputting of commands for selectively controlling the heater, the pump, and the motor.
 11. The article washing device of claim 10, wherein the controller comprises a touch screen.
 12. The article washing device of claim 1, further including a plurality of feet engaged to a lower surface of the housing, Wherein the feet are configured for stabilizing the housing on a surface.
 13. An article washing system comprising: a housing defining an interior space, a plurality of walls engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space defining a refill reservoir, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment; water positioned in the refill reservoir; a tray selectively insertable through a slot in the housing, such that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber; detergent positioned in the tray, such that the tray is positioned for selectively delivering an effective amount of the detergent to the chamber for generating a cleaning solution; a plurality of spray arms positioned in the wash compartment; an article positioned over a respective spray arm; a heater positioned in the heated compartment, wherein the heater is configured for selectively heating the cleaning solution; a pump positioned in the chamber and being in fluidic communication with the spray arms, such that the pump is enabled for selectively pumping the cleaning solution and water through the respective spray arm for cleaning and rinsing the article, respectively; a passthrough opening positioned in a bottom of the refill reservoir; a control valve engaged to the refill reservoir and positioned in the passthrough opening; a motor engaged to the control valve, such that the motor is enabled for selectively actuating the control valve for opening- and closing the passthrough opening; and a float valve positioned in the chamber and being operationally engaged to the motor, such that the float valve is positioned for actuating the motor prior to a level of fluid in the chamber falling below an inlet of the pump.
 14. An article washing device comprising: a housing defining an interior space, a plurality of walls engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space defining a refill reservoir, a wash compartment, a drain basin positioned under and in fluidic communication with the wash compartment, a heated compartment, and a chamber within the heated compartment, wherein the refill reservoir is configured for holding water; a refill opening positioned in a top of the refill reservoir; a passthrough opening positioned in a bottom of the refill reservoir; a control valve engaged to the refill reservoir and positioned in the passthrough opening; a motor engaged to the control valve, such that the motor is enabled for selectively actuating the control valve for opening and closing the passthrough opening; a plurality of slits positioned in a lower end of the wash compartment, such that fluid flows from the wash compartment to the drain basin; a hose engaged to and extending from the housing, the hose being in fluidic communication with the drain basin, wherein the hose is configured for draining the fluid from the drain basin; an access opening positioned in an upper end of the wash compartment, wherein the access opening is configured for accessing the wash compartment; a lid hingedly engaged to the wash compartment, such that the lid is positioned for selectively closing the access opening; a handle engaged to the lid, wherein the handle is configured for grasping in digits of a hand of a user for opening and closing the lid; a tray selectively insertable through a slot in the housing, such that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber, wherein the tray is configured for positioning of detergent, the tray being configured for selectively delivering an effective amount of the detergent to the chamber for generating a cleaning solution; a pipe engaged to the tray and extending into the chamber, such that the tray is in fluidic communication with the chamber; a grasp engaged to the tray, wherein grasp is configured for grasping in the digits of the hand of the user for sliding the tray within the slot; a plurality of spray arms positioned in the wash compartment, Wherein each spray arm is configured for inserting into a respective article, each spray arm comprising: a first tube engaged to and extending from the lower end of the wash compartment, a plurality of second tubes, each second tube being engaged to and extending transversely from the first tube, and a plurality of spray holes, one spray hole being positioned in the first tube at a terminus of the first tube distal from the lower end of the wash compartment, each second tube having a spray hole positioned in an endpoint of the second tube distal from the first tube; a heater positioned in the heated compartment, wherein the heater is configured for selectively heating the cleaning solution, the heater comprising a heating element; a pump positioned in the chamber and being in fluidic communication with the spray arms, wherein the pump is configured for selectively pumping the cleaning solution and water through the spray arm for cleaning and rinsing the respective article, respectively; a float valve positioned in the chamber and being operationally engaged to the motor, such that the float valve is positioned for actuating the motor prior to a level of fluid in the chamber falling below an inlet of the pump; a power cord engaged to and extending from the housing, the power cord being operationally engaged to the heater, the pump, and the motor; a controller engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the heater, the pump, the motor, and the power cord, wherein the controller is configured for inputting of commands for selectively controlling the heater, the pump, and the motor, the controller comprising a touch screen; and a plurality of feet engaged to a lower surface of the housing, wherein the feet are configured for stabilizing the housing on a surface. 